Chapter 78. Dawn’s Reckoning

Skyler squared his shoulders, lifting his chin until his eyes were steady and unflinching. He spoke with calm assurance: “The vampires—they have enough strength to keep her safe.”

Elizabeth’s breath caught. She pressed a hand to her mouth in shock.

Noah, standing nearby, flushed a deep crimson. His fists clenched at his sides. “They killed three of your pack members, for God’s sake! How can you even suggest she’d be safer with them? There has to be another option.”

I glanced between them, heart pounding. Shit. Explaining this was going to be a nightmare. I swallowed and began again, choosing my words with care. “We have intelligence indicating that the facts—as we were given them—might not be quite accurate.”

Noah whirled to face me, eyes narrowing until they seemed little more than slits. He slammed his fist down on the wooden table, making it creak under the blow. “Cut the bullshit! If you know something, now is the perfect time to spill it.”

His fier